Abstract

Australian Rules football captures the public imagination like no other sport in the
country, commanding an almost religious following and monopolising the media. A
number of economic and social goods are produced, especially by or through the
Australian Football League. Australian football has never been more popular; yet,
there are concerns about changes to how the game is played, how it is governed, and
who benefits. Corporatisation is often blamed for undermining traditions, suggesting
an increased need for public accountability.
What is ‘good for the game’ in the modern era is a complex question that cannot be
resolved by simply a sentimental appeal to tradition or a by a wholesale condemnation
of corporatisation. This thesis introduces a set of tools for the analysis and evaluation
of goods allocation in Australian football. These tools comprise MacIntyre’s
‘practice-institution’ concept, theories of distributive justice, and social-cultural
analysis.